The Third Violet STEPHEN CRANE CHAPTER 28 ppsx

The Third Violet
STEPHEN CRANE

CHAPTER 28

The proprietor of the place, having pushed to the street the little man, who may
have been the most vehement, came again and resumed the discussion with the
remainder of the men of war. Many of these had volunteered, and they were
very enduring.
"Yes, you are gone," said Hollanden, with the sobriety of graves in his voice.
"You are gone Hi!" he cried, "there is Lucian Pontiac Hi, Pontiac! Sit down
here."
A man with a tangle of hair, and with that about his mouth which showed that
he had spent many years in manufacturing a proper modesty with which to bear
his greatness, came toward them, smiling.
"Hello, Pontiac!" said Hollanden. "Here's another great painter. Do you know
Mr. Hawker? Mr. William Hawker Mr. Pontiac."
"Mr. Hawker delighted," said Pontiac. "Although I have not known you
personally, I can assure you that I have long been a great admirer of your
abilities."
The proprietor of the place and the men of war had at length agreed to come to
an amicable understanding. They drank liquors, while each firmly, but now
silently, upheld his dignity.
"Charming place," said Pontiac. "So thoroughly Parisian in spirit. And from
time to time, Mr. Hawker, I use one of your models. Must say she has the best
arm and wrist in the universe. Stunning figure stunning!"
"You mean Florinda?" said Hawker.
"Yes, that's the name. Very fine girl. Lunches with me from time to time and
chatters so volubly. That's how I learned you posed her occasionally. If the
models didn't gossip we would never know what painters were addicted to
profanity. Now that old Thorndike he told me you swore like a drill-sergeant if

the model winked a finger at the critical time. Very fine girl, Florinda. And
honest, too honest as the devil. Very curious thing. Of course honesty among
the girl models is very common, very common quite universal thing, you
know but then it always strikes me as being very curious, very curious. I've
been much attracted by your girl Florinda."
"My girl?" said Hawker.
"Well, she always speaks of you in a proprietary way, you know. And then she
considers that she owes you some kind of obedience and allegiance and
devotion. I remember last week I said to her: 'You can go now. Come again
Friday.' But she said: 'I don't think I can come on Friday. Billie Hawker is home
now, and he may want me then.' Said I: 'The devil take Billie Hawker! He hasn't
engaged you for Friday, has he? Well, then, I engage you now.' But she shook
her head. No, she couldn't come on Friday. Billie Hawker was home, and he
might want her any day. 'Well, then,' said I, 'you have my permission to do as
you please, since you are resolved upon it anyway. Go to your Billie Hawker.'
Did you need her on Friday?"
"No," said Hawker.
"Well, then, the minx, I shall scold her. Stunning figure stunning! It was only
last week that old Charley Master said to me mournfully: 'There are no more
good models. Great Scott! not a one.' 'You're 'way off, my boy,' I said; 'there is
one good model,' and then I named your girl. I mean the girl who claims to be
yours."
"Poor little beggar!" said Hollanden.
"Who?" said Pontiac.
"Florinda," answered Hollanden. "I suppose "
Pontiac interrupted. "Oh, of course, it is too bad. Everything is too bad. My dear
sir, nothing is so much to be regretted as the universe. But this Florinda is such
a sturdy young soul! The world is against her, but, bless your heart, she is equal
to the battle. She is strong in the manner of a little child. Why, you don't know
her. She "

"I know her very well."
"Well, perhaps you do, but for my part I think you don't appreciate her
formidable character and stunning figure stunning!"
"Damn it!" said Hawker to his coffee cup, which he had accidentally
overturned.
"Well," resumed Pontiac, "she is a stunning model, and I think, Mr. Hawker,
you are to be envied."
"Eh?" said Hawker.
"I wish I could inspire my models with such obedience and devotion. Then I
would not be obliged to rail at them for being late, and have to badger them for
not showing up at all. She has a beautiful figure beautiful."